LATEST NEWS
The Sandy River Mystery: Unveiling Farmington's Hidden Treasure
Nestled in the heart of Franklin County, Maine, the Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad (SR&RL) emerges as a historical beacon. This 2 ft narrow-gauge line, etched into Farmington's past, once ferried lumber and pulpwood, powering the local economy. A symbol of ambition and financial acumen, the SR&RL, despite its 1908 to 1935 heyday, succumbed to modernity's march, leaving behind a tapestry of enigmatic history. Yet, the railroad's spirit endures, thanks to the tenacity of local railfans and their non-profit devoted to its preservation, ensuring the Sandy River's allure remains Farmington's hidden treasure.
Is This Really the Worst Maine Road in the State?
There's a few roads in Maine I would instantly think of if you asked me which ones I personally think are terrible, and this road wasn't one of them. However, according to The Maine Better Transportation Association, Jackman, Maine, has a road that's been deemed the worst in the state.
Weekly Safety Report: Theft, Robbery Conviction, Missing Person, and Community Support in Franklin County, Maine
This week in Franklin County, Maine, several incidents occurred that are important to note for the weekly safety report. These incidents include a man stealing cash from a gas station register in Jay, two men being convicted of conspiracy in a fatal robbery attempt in Rangeley, a missing man from Rangeley Plantation being found safe, and a young girl raising money for the family of a shooting victim in Lewiston.
The Historic Farmington Falls Bridge: Preserving Maine's Bridge-Building Legacy
Nestled in the scenic heart of Franklin County, Maine, the Farmington Falls Bridge, also known as the Stevens Bridge, is an iconic structure that encapsulates the local heritage of Farmington. Built in the late 19th century, this marvel of engineering exemplifies the technological strides of the period and the community's bond with the Sandy River. Despite the inevitable march of progress leading to its scheduled demolition in 2023, the bridge's legacy endures through the efforts of the Farmington Historical Society and their collaboration with the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Historic Preservation Commission.
Saddleback Mountain: A Resilient Winter Wonderland in Maine
In the heart of Dallas Plantation, Saddleback Mountain has emerged as a phoenix in the snowy landscape, securing the title of 'Best Ski Mountain' in Maine for two consecutive years by Down East Magazine. This ski resort's revival, led by Arctaris Impact Fund, marks a tale of resilience and commitment to winter sports enthusiasts. With the highest base elevation in the East and a summit towering at 4,120 feet, Saddleback boasts a 2,000-foot vertical drop and over 600 skiable acres to delight skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Today the gas price is close to $3.39 in Carrabassett Valley as of 2023-11-28. Find the available station near you.
Photo from Unsplash and unrelated to the city. For most people, it is a constant necessity of life to manage gas prices. The national average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas on Tuesday is $3.246, a week ago the price is $3.295 , according to AAA.
Sugarloaf Mountain: Carrabassett Valley's Crown Jewel of Winter Sports
Nestled within the stunning Carrabassett Valley, Sugarloaf Mountain rises as Maine's second-highest peak, heralding a long history of winter sports since the 1950s. Once a humble ski hill, the vision of local influencers like Amos Winter has shaped it into a premier ski destination. Despite financial trials, including a bankruptcy in 1986, Sugarloaf has triumphed with state-of-the-art lifts and snowmaking, ensuring a top-tier experience for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing enthusiasts.
Dennistown, Maine: A Testament to Timber and Trails
Nestled within the sprawling woodlands of Somerset County, Maine, Dennistown's establishment in 1849 marks it as a cornerstone of the state's logging history and a notable waypoint on the Old Canada Road. Despite its modest population, which peaked at 48 in 1970 and was recorded as 61 in the 2020 census, the town exudes a legacy that transcends numbers. With its serene landscapes and coordinates etching a spot of natural grandeur at 44:41:06N latitude and 70:21:04W longitude, Dennistown stands as a living museum to Maine's bygone era of timber and trails.
Saddleback opens $10 million employee housing
SANDY RIVER, Maine — Maine towns large and small are dealing with housing shortages. With Rangeley ready to welcome a new ski season, its resort now has a new place to house workers. On Friday, Saddleback unveiled its brand new, $10 million employee housing project. The rooms vary in...
My Maine This Week: Patty Keller
Last fall, NRCM held a Fall in to Winter photo contest, and these photos were sent to us by Patty Keller of Bar Harbor, Maine. We all love the Maine outdoors, and so do many of our four-legged friends. Enjoy these photos that Patty took at Acadia National Park and in Carrabassett Valley.
Saddleback Mountain unveils new $10 million workforce housing complex
SAADDLEBACK MOUNTAIN (WGME) -- A popular ski resort in Maine is trying to help solve both a shortage of housing and workers. According to Saddleback Mountain Resort, they are the first ski resort in Maine to build workforce housing on-site. Friday was a big day on Saddleback Mountain despite the...
Carrabassett Valley Residents Invited to Participate in Comprehensive Plan Committee's Decade-long Land Use Strategy
The Comprehensive Plan Committee plays an essential role in the Carrabassett Valley community. They are tasked with creating a strategic land use plan for the municipality that covers a decade. This plan includes areas like Demographics, Future Land Use, Housing, Mobility and Transportation, Economy, Natural Resources, Cultural Resources, Public Facilities, and Fiscal Capacity. The plan's aim is to guide future projects and decisions in line with community values.
Rangeley’s First Bank Is a Classical Revival Cutie on Main Street
By the turn of the 20th century, Lewiston architect William R. Miller had a demonstrated flair for the dramatic, having designed buildings such as Fairfield’s Renaissance Revival Gerald Hotel with a trio of towers adorned with terra-cotta panels bearing cherubs and swags. But in 1905, Miller conceived a structure that was uncharacteristically restrained. The Classical Revival Rangeley Trust Company Building on Main Street is just one brick story, with a flat roof and simple corner pilasters that rise to meet a wide entablature. Its most notable flourish is a small dentil-adorned pediment supported by corbels above the main entrance. Now the Rangeley History Museum, the building was commissioned by Harry A. Furbish, a Lewiston native who quickly became involved in local trades after arriving in Rangeley alone at age 13. Furbish’s prospects grew alongside the town’s popularity as a premier sporting destination in the late 19th century. He held stock in several resorts, while also amassing a fortune in commercial lumbering and banking. Furbish’s Rangeley Trust Company was the town’s first bank. It’s likely that the structure’s minute massing and unassuming air were intended to complement the modest downtown. Or perhaps Miller simply did not see the point in competing with the natural beauty of the pristine wilderness region.
Two men convicted of violent attempted theft of drugs in Rangeley
BANGOR - Two men from New York have been convicted of a violent attempted theft of drugs from a home in Rangeley. The guilty verdict came after a three day trial in Bangor. According to evidence presented at the trial, 53-year-old Andrea Muller and 43-year-old Robert Holland along with three other men, developed a plan to steal controlled substances from a Rangeley residence.
New employee housing facility opens at Saddleback Mountain
RANGELEY, Maine — A new workforce housing project at Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley hopes to alleviate some of the pressures of securing affordable homes, providing a new dorm-style living space. The Saddleback House cost $10 million and took two years to build. Inside the state-of-the-art facility, there's 43 rooms...
For communities devastated by recent storms, building back stronger isn't as easy as it seems
JAY (WGME) -- Communities across the state of Maine this year have been washed away and are worrying about how best to rebuild after multiple intense flooding events. "I don't know what was different about this storm, but it certainly was a memorable one," Sebago Deputy Fire Chief Alan Greene said.
Saddleback Mountain unveils new $10 million workforce housing complex
SAADDLEBACK MOUNTAIN (WGME) -- A popular ski resort in Maine is trying to help solve both a shortage of housing and workers. According to Saddleback Mountain Resort, they are the first ski resort in Maine to build workforce housing on-site. Friday was a big day on Saddleback Mountain despite the...